Ernst Reinhold Schmidt
Markneukirchen, Mittenwald, 1857–1928
Ernst Reinhold SCHMIDT (1857-1928) was a German violin maker who established an extensive and productive business in Markneukirchen in 1880, after apprenticing with J. Kretzschman and working for notable makers like Bausch, Hammig, and Riechers.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
50 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Some varnish blemishes on the back and ribs but no serious issues, otherwise reasonable condition Lot 3451 | Gardiner | March 2025 | £586est. £ 400-600 |
| Violin | Small hairline crack beneath the bass f-hole, some minor knocks and bruises, reasonable condition Lot 2013 | Gardiner | June 2024 | £366est. £ 120-180 |
| Violin | Antonio Stradivari copy, signed on the label Lot 2457 | Gardiner | June 2020 | £312est. £ 250-350 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm 1880 c. | — | December 2011 | £42 |
| Cello Bow | 75.8 cm Markneukirchen, 1935 c. Workshop of | — | May 2011 | £2,308 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Markneukirchen, 1910 c. | — | May 2011 | £1,420 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Saxony, 1910 c. | — | April 2011 | £638 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Markneukirchen, 1927 | — | April 2011 | £750 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Saxony, 1910 c. Probably by | — | April 2011 | £300 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Markneukirchen, 1930 c. Workshop of | — | July 2010 | £1,769 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm 1900 c. | — | June 2010 | £420 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm | — | March 2010 | £920 |
| Violin | 35.2 cm Markneukirchen, 1890 c. Workshop of | — | June 2009 | £923 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm | — | March 2009 | £460 |
| Cello | 76.2 cm 1905 c. Workshop of | — | March 2009 | £2,734 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm 1900 c. | — | June 2008 | £296 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm | — | July 2007 | £238 |
| Violin | 36.3 cm Markneukirchen, 1900 c. | — | September 2006 | £360 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm | — | July 2006 | £265 |
| Violin | 1920 c. | — | October 2005 | £335 |
| Violin | Mittenwald, 1890 c. | — | May 2005 | £437 |
| Violin | Markneukirchen, 1910 c. | — | February 2005 | £1,804 |
| Cello | — | May 2004 | £663 | |
| Violin | 1890 | — | September 2002 | £690 |
| Violin | 1908 | — | November 2001 | £1,356 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | May 1998 | £1,270 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | May 1998 | £706 |
| Violin | 1890 c. | — | February 1998 | £506 |
| Violin | 1920 c. | — | February 1998 | £230 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | May 1997 | £130 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | February 1997 | £260 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | June 1995 | £230 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | May 1995 | £207 |
| Cello | 1900 c. | — | December 1994 | £437 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | November 1994 | £243 |
| Violin | 1890 c. | — | March 1994 | £345 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | February 1994 | £345 |
| Violin | 1928 | — | November 1993 | £1,784 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | April 1993 | £308 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | February 1993 | £572 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | November 1992 | £270 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | November 1991 | £770 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | April 1991 | £550 |
| Violin | 1880 c. | — | October 1990 | £352 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | June 1990 | £187 |
| Viola | 39.2 cm 1900 c. | — | June 1990 | £770 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | March 1990 | £935 |
| Cello | 1900 c. | — | June 1989 | £1,430 |
| Violin | 1880 c. 3/4 Size | — | May 1988 | £198 |
| Viola | 38.4 cm 1900 c. | — | January 1987 | £352 |
No results match those filters.
Maker Overview
Life
Ernst Reinhold SCHMIDT (1857-1928) was born in 1857 and died in 1928 in Markneukirchen, Germany.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Instruments were produced in various grades, including 'artist' and 'solo' models, which are said to be his personal work.
- Models
- He worked after all common models and also developed his own viola model, which sought to achieve the tonal richness of the so-called Ritterbratschen without imitating their excessive dimensions.
- Design
- His viola model featured a very wide lower part that ran into blunt corners, while the upper part was completely rounded.
- Materials
- Fine classical models were made with varnish and materials appropriate to their grade and model.
- Varnish
- He used both oil and spirit varnish.
- Branding
- Instruments were branded on the back button.
- Labels
- Labels bore the company name and included the inscription: "Antonius Stradivarius / made by E. R. Schmidt & Co.Violin Makers, Saxony / only genuine when bearing our written signature. / E. R. Schmidt".
- Antonius Stradivarius
made by E. R. Schmidt & Co.Violin Makers, Saxony
only genuine when bearing our written signature.
E. R. SchmidtJohn Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Apprenticeship: He was apprenticed to J. Kretzschman from 1871 to 1874; sources also refer to his teacher as Jul. Kratzschmann.
- Journeyman Work: He worked for O. Bausch Emde and H. Hammig, and from 1874 to 1877, he worked for Riechers.
- Awards: He was awarded gold medals at Vienna in 1892 and Leipzig in 1913.
- Business Development: He developed his workshop into an extensive and productive business with his brother, employing a large staff.
- Leadership: He led the factory E. R. Schmidt & Co. until 1902.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SCHMIDT, Ernst Reinhold Born 1857, died 1928 Markneukirchen Germany. Apprenticed to J. Kretzschman 1871-1874. Worked for Bausch and Hammig in Leipzig, and Riechers in Berlin. Established independently in Markneukirchen 1880. Developed the workshop into an extensive and productive business with his brother, employing a large staff. Gold medals awarded at Vienna 1892 and Leipzig 1913. Commercial work in various grades: ‘artist’ and ‘solo’ models said to be his own personal work. Fine classical models with varnish and materials appropriate to the grade and model. Branded on back button. Antonius Stradivarius / made by E. R. Schmidt & Co.Violin Makers, Saxony / only genuine when bearing our written signature. / E. R. Schmidt
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler von Jul. Kratzschmann. Als Gehilfe arbeitete er bei O. Bausch Emde, H. Hammig und von 1874—1877 bei Riechers. Im September 1880 gründete er die Fabrik E. R. Schmidt & Co., die sich sehr ausdehnte, und stand ihr bis 1902 vor. Ausser nach allen gangbaren Modellen arbeitete er auch nach einem eigenen Viola-Modell, bei dem er die Tonfülle der sog. Ritterbratschen zu erreichen suchte, ohne deren übermässige Mensur nachahmen zu müssen. Der untere Theil war sehr breit und vor lief in stumpfe Ecken; der obere Theil war ganz abgerundet. Er verwendete Öl- und Spirituslack; die Zettel trugen den Namen der Firma.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
